Early Takes Vol 1 by George Harrison

These songs were all recorded at Harrison’s home studio just prior to the recording of his epic post-Beatles debut All Things Must Pass. Although this CD is brief (30 minutes) and contains no recording details, it is great listening, especially if you like George in a solo acoustic setting with minimal production apart from some bass, drums and some occasional overdubbed slide guitar.

Only ‘My Sweet Lord’ with its demo-like skeletal arrangement is a shadow of the majestic wonder that graced All Things Must Pass. Everything else here is extremely worthwhile including excellent covers of Dylan’s ‘Mama You’ve Been On My Mind’ and the Everly Brothers’ ‘Let It Be Me’ with Harrison providing beautiful vocals and some country guitar licks.

Harrison’s singing is warm up close and his acoustic guitar work a joy, especially on the driving folk blues take on ‘Woman Don’t You Cry for Me’, which surfaced later on 33 and a 1/3.